Clinical-Health Joint Program

Students who aspire to conduct clinically-informed research on issues pertaining to behavioral factors in the etiology, treatment, and prevention of disease may apply for admission to both the Clinical and Biological and Health Psychology programs. Such students gain a thorough grounding in the theories and methods of clinical psychology (principles of behavior, psychological assessment, and behavior change), as well as the biobehavioral bases of health (systems physiology and psychophysiology, behavioral epidemiology, pathobiology).

Because of the additional curriculum involved, it sometimes takes longer for students with dual program membership to complete the doctoral degree. Biological and Health Psychology students who are also members of the Clinical program are enrolled in clinical practica involving both healthy and medical populations in the Psychology Clinic, as well as through other sites associated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

The Clinical Psychology Program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), and students pursuing training in both the Clinical and Biological and Health programs are encouraged to apply for internship at institutions that provide advanced clinical experience in health psychology or behavioral medicine.

Clinical-Health Joint Program Requirements

Students in the Clinical Health joint program fulfill the program requirements of both the Clinical and the Biological and Health Psychology program. It is important to note, however, that some of the required classes overlap, and that some of the requirements of one program can also be used to fulfill requirements of the other. For more information, see the Clinical Psychology Student Handbook and the Biological and Health Psychology Student Handbook.